Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-01
LEGISLATION ASKED FOR.
An Assistant Attorney Needed for Civil
Suits Of the Government ian This
District.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF SOLICITOR NC CUE AM
STATEMENTS OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY woRrHINGTON

RECOMMENDATIONS OF SOLICITOR NC CUE AND
STATEMENTS OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY woRrHINGTON.
In the annual report OF solicitor OF the Treasury
McCue to the Attorney General he strongly re-
news his recommendation for additional assistance
IN the TRIAL OF civil cases In the ofice U. S. AT
torney for the District OF Columbia. He says the
condition Of the civil business In the courts Of this
District has been the source OF grievous complaint
and adds Doubtless the fault does not lie with the
District Attorney. Numerous suits are pending
against delinquent officers and other public
debtors which have been unable TO bring to trial
notwithstanding earnest efforts have been made,
stimulated by adue appreciation OF the embar-
rassment and loss Occasioned the government by
the long protracted delay. j have had personal
explanation OF a satisfactory character from the
district attorney and have also his Official report
on the subject. would earnestly ask special at
tention 70 the statements OF the wants OF his
ONCE He sDould. undoubtedly be allowed by law
an additional assistant $50. An extract OF his
report VIII exhibit the peculiar and onerous char
acter OF the duties developing upon him which
forbid any effcient labor MS part on that OF
his present assistants in the prepaton or trial OF
other than criminal cases.
Mr.. AcCue quotes the following from the district
attorneys report: in all the other judicial dis
trcts OF the United states the district attorney OF
the United states il called upon enforce those
punative statutes OF the United States which are
applicable 70 the whole country. In those districts
which are carved CUT OF states the states attorney
But here, where there Is no state government and
Congress has exclusive jurisdiction both classes Of
cases are cOgnizable by the same Officer All the
ordinary l&Tcenies burglaries, arsons, robber1es,
foryerles, murders ana other common law offences
which IN other jurisdictions would be attended 10
by the prosecuting officer OF the state are here the
subject OF United states attorneys Iabors."
Figures from the report OF the ATTORNEY General
Tor 1855 are appended. showing l 917 cases Jermi-
mated in all the United States courts In that year
OF which 3,7s6 were In this DistricJ-just about
0ne-third OF all the business. The number OF
United states cases in the District last year was
4,l46 and In 1879 but 2,6J4. Mr.. Worthington
says: This gives some evidence OF the rate 1T
which the business or this Office has increased Yet
the force now allowed the District attorney here is
precisely what II was In 1870. am limited 70 e. 600
Tor the pay OF assistants per year and 81 200 for
clerk hire, and this, although the fees now earned
by this ONCE reach $40 600 per annum. Last year
the amount was SIS. 49," In conclusion he saws:
81 have not failed 10 note that there has been a
disposition 10 complain or ar apparent failure 10
press vigorously the numerous important civil
suits pending here, 10 which the United States Is
party, nOtwir hstandlng the explanations that
have heretofore been made; and wish 70 say that
Tor the reasons above given IL Is impossible that
the civil business OF the government in the courts
or this jurisdiction should receive proper attention
u2tu there shall be q change IN the law
NJ. McCue says "the sections referred TO should
be amended so as 10 admit OF the employment OF a
competent assistant 10 take charge OF the civil
business, as suggested, whose compensation may
be paid from the fees OF the ONCE, an excess OF
which IL now turned into the Treasury TO the
amount OF thirty or forty thousand dollars annually.